After initially appearing skeptical about the electric car, Audi has been busy over the past few years with a selection of plugin hybrid and fully electric-powered concepts, showing them off at prestigious events such as the Le Mans 24 hour race.

This isn’t just a toy though. Built around the iconic Ferdinand-Porsche-designed, mid-engined Grand Prix car from the 1930s, the Type C is the car that every child draws when asked to draw a racing car.

Of course, Audi’s electric reincarnation is nothing more than a body replica of the original 6 litre racing car. Built around the $16,000 limited-edition pedal car already sold at Audi dealerships worldwide, Audi has added a lithium-ion battery pack, rear-wheel drive 1 kilowatt motor and suitable power circuitry.

Acceleration is most likely to be sedentary, range a paltry 15.5 miles and creature comforts minimal. But then we suspect this car will spend more time being admired than driven.

Our verdict? We can’t think of a better compliment to an electric car garage than an all-electric replica of one of motor racing’s most iconic cars, but unless you really are the person who has everything we think the price may put you off.

Neat! :D
Let us know if you find out the price and if it's affordable I may just consider offering it as an early educational gift for my little one. Let him taste the anxiety of a 15 mile range. ;)

Gav
Posted: 1/21/2011 5:08pm PST

"The Type C is the car that every child draws when asked to draw a racing car."
Reminds me of that Simpsons episode where Homer's half-brother gives Homer free reign to draw the plans for a car, called "The Homer". It ruined the company.